Parliament has passed two amendment Bills this afternoon, 24th February, 2020.
The bills are further amendments made to the Electoral Commission Act and Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act made on 20th February, 2020.
The Bills are as follows:
1. Private Members Bill no 4. Electoral Commission (Amendment) (no.2) of 2020
The Bill has the following provisions:
a.The Chairperson of the Commission, nominated by the Judicial Service Commission shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Public Appointments Committee.
b.Appointment of other members of the Commission shall be on recommendation of the Public Appointments Committee following nominations from political parties represented in Parliament.
c.Amendment to Section 13 of the Electoral Commission Act, by deleting the words ‘Section 80 A of the Constitution’ and substituting the words ‘Section 55A of the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act.’
2. Private Members Bill no. 5. Parliamentary and Presidential Elections (amendment) (no.2) of 2020
The Bill has the following provisions:
a. Holding of fresh presidential elections to be held on Tuesday, in the third week of May, 2020 (that is on 19th May this year).
b. Run off in the Presidential Election
c. The next general election, as prescribed under Section 67 (1) of the Constitution, shall be held on Tuesday, in the third week of May, 2025.
d. National Assembly and local government authorities elected on 21st May, 2019 shall stand dissolved on 20th March, 2025.
The bills are a measure to give effect to the orders of the Constitutional Court in its judgement delivered on 3rd February, 2020 annulling the presidential election held on 21st May, 2019 and ordering a fresh presidential election.
Source: Malawi Parliament.
